Lok Sabha Elections: Akhilesh Yadav To Contest From Kannauj; PM Says Congress Wants To Give Reservation To Its ‘Most Loved Community’

The Phase 2 voting for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 will take place on Friday, April 26. Voting will take place in 89 constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories.

Know Phase-Wise Voting Day For All Constituencies Here

Unaffected by the backlash over his 'minority' remark on the Congress manifesto that is being termed 'divisive' and 'hate speech', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday repeated for, the third straight day, his claims that the Grand Old Party wants to "distribute" Indians' property and resources among "selected people".

PM Modi on Sunday triggered a debate after making a statement at a rally in Rajasthan, which triggered reactions by a section of people and the Congress party. Addressing the rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on Sunday, PM Modi said the Congress plans to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to "infiltrators" and "those who have more children", naming the Muslim community. 

Here's What PM Modi Said Yesterday | LISTEN IN

Countering Prime Minister Narendra Modi's repeated claims that the Congress will sell 'mangalsutra' of the women of India if voted to power, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday asked the public if the party ever snatched people's gold or 'mangalsutra' in the 55 years it was in power. She added that her mother has sacrificed her 'mangalsutra' for the country.

Addressing a rally in Karnataka's Bengaluru, Priyanka Gandhi said: "From last two days it is being said that Congress Party wants to snatch your 'Mangalsutra' and your gold from you. The country has been independent for 70 years and there has been a Congress government for 55 years. Did anyone snatch your gold, 'Mangalsutra'?"

"During the war, Indira Gandhi [Priyanka Gandhi's grandmother] gave her gold to the country. Meri maa [Sonia Gandhi] ka 'Mangalsutra' is desh ko kurbaan hua hai...The truth is that these [BJP] people cannot understand the struggle of women..."

Amid row over his 'wealth distribution' and 'mangalsutra' remarks against Congress, PM Modi made another controversial statement on Tuesday and said in the rule of Congress, "even listening to Hanuman Chalisa becomes a crime".

PM Modi was referring to a March incident in Congress-ruled Karnataka's Bengaluru wherein a a shopkeeper was allegedly assaulted by a few men for playing the 'Hanuman Chalisa' over loudspeaker during ‘Azaan’.

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All Indian citizens of 18 years and above can register themselves to vote in the general elections. To register, one must download Form 6 from the National Voters' Service Portal or receive one from your local Booth Level Officer.  

Fill in details such as your Aadhar details, address, educational qualification and other details. Attach all proof needed and submit the form.  

All Voting FAQs Answered Here

As political storm remains on over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged "hate speech" at a recent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election rally in which he made claims of Congress planning to "redistribute wealth of the people", a video of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from an April 6 party meeting has gone viral, where he is heard saying mentioning something similar.

On April 6, a day after the Congress released its manifesto, Rahul Gandhi at a rally in Hyderabad had said if voted to power, the party will conduct a financial and institutional survey to ascertain the distribution of wealth among the people in the country. READ MORE HERE

Listen To Rahul Gandhi's Statement:

A person is eligible to vote in India after attaining the age of 18. An eligible voter can vote only if their name appears in the voter list, also known as Electoral Roll.

Election commission of India offers online voter registration for Indian citizens who have attained the age of 18 on the qualifying date (1 Jan, 1 April, 1 July and 1 Oct of the year of revision of electoral roll). Citizen, can enroll themselves as General Voter and fill Form 6 online at National Voters' Service Portal. The form can be checked HERE - https://voters.eci.gov.in/

All Voting FAQs Answered Here

The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce today certain directions on a batch of pleas seeking complete cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).

An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a device for recording votes and is used in India for voting in elections. An Electronic Voting Machine consists of two Units – a Control Unit and a Balloting Unit – joined by a five-meter cable. Since 2010, the Election Commission has been phasing in a third unit called the VVPAT or the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail, which allows voters to verify that their votes have been recorded correctly by printing a paper receipt.

In accordance with an order by the Supreme Court of India, April 8, 2019, the Commission has mandated VVPAT slips count of five randomly selected polling stations in each assembly constituency/segment of the parliamentary constituency of the states/UTs by the returning officer, by draw of lot in presence of candidates/their counting agents and ECI observer, for verification of the result obtained from the control unit.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta is scheduled to pronounce the directions on the plea in which order was reserved by the apex court on April 18.

Underscoring the importance of voter satisfaction and trust in the electoral system, the top court had during the hearing told petitioners, who sought its direction to go back to using ballot papers not to suspect the efficacy of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and appreciate if the Election Commission does good work.

Speaking in her constituency - Uttar Pradesh's Amethi - Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani poked fun at Rahul Gandhi and said that he does not know anything about the constituency, adding that there is one thing to worry about that is his brother-in-law [Robert Vadra] "knows Jagdishpur", a town in Amethi.

"... There is one thing to worry about, whether Rahul Gandhi knows something or not, his brother-in-law knows Jagdishpur. People of Jagdishpur need to beware now. If his brother-in-law knows Jagdishpur, every village, every house, every person now needs to hide their property papers," Smriti Irani said.

Rober Vadra had earlier indicated his keenness to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi. Vadra, businessman and husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, had said that the people of Amethi expect him to represent their constituency if he thinks of becoming a member of Parliament.

Campaigning for the Phase 2 of Lok Sabha elections 2024 will end today, April 24, two days before the voting day. Phase 2 voting will be taking place on April 26 in 89 constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories.

Voting will take place in these states in Phase 2: Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday will address two rallies in Sagar and Betul Lok Sabha constituencies in Madhya Pradesh and hold a roadshow in state's Bhopal.

Sagar, Betul and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh will go to polls in the third phase on May 7. The BJP had won these three seats in the 2019 general elections.

It will be PM Modi's fifth visit to the state in the last 18 days. He had kickstarted his party's poll campaign in MP on April 7 with a roadshow in Jabalpur.

A people's movement is brewing in Eastern Nagaland where over four lakh voters are believed to have abstained from voting in the first phase of the general elections last Friday. The mass boycott resulted in a significant dip in voter turnout, from 83 per cent in 2019 to 56.91 per cent this time.

The movement, led by the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), seeks the creation of a separate territory called "Frontier Nagaland," with its own legislature, executive, and financial powers. READ FULL REPORT

Addressing a press conference in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, Congress president Mallikajun Kharge asked if Congress was nothing then why should the PM bother. His remarks came amid controversy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's repeated attacks on Congress and claims that the Grand Old Party wants to "redistribute the wealth of the country's people."

"I hope whatever the undercurrent, I can say, it is not visible, but Modiji is afraid of these 'invisible' voters who will come out in the elections. That's why Modiji always criticises the Congress. If Congress is nothing, why should he bother? He says 'abki baar 400 paar', if you have got 400 (seats) this time... if you have so much confidence, why are you taking corrupt people in your party?" Kharge said.

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Addressing a press conference in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, Congress president Mallikajun Kharge said: "...Narendra Modi had said that I will give Rs 15 lakh to every family. I will bring back the black money that Congress has kept abroad. Where is that money? ...In the next election, he said that I would double the income of farmers. Where is the double income of farmers?... Now he is again saying Modi's guarantee...What is Modi's guarantee? Modi's guarantee is that he will not fulfil the promises he is making...This is Modi's guarantee..."

Repolling at eight polling stations in four assembly constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh is underway amid elaborate security arrangements. The repolling was necessitated following reports of violence, including damage to electronic voting machines (EVMs), during the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the northeastern state on April 19, an official said.

The Election Commission ordered repolling to Sario under the Bameng assembly constituency in East Kameng district, Longte Loth in the Nyapin segment in Kurung Kumey, and Bogne and Molom booths under the Rumgong seat in Siang.

Dingser, Bogiya Siyum, Jimbari and Lengi under the Nacho constituency in Upper Subansiri are also on the list of booths where repolling is underway.

The polling began at 6 AM and is scheduled to end at 2 PM, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said, adding that all eligible voters would be allowed to cast votes after issuing slips if voting is not completed on time.

Congress seems to have been pushed on the backfoot with its senior leader Sam Pitroda suggesting a "US-like inheritance tax" in India. Pitroda came under fire from the BJP even as the Congress distanced itself from his remarks. Reacting to Pitroda's remark, BJP 'warned' people of "property snatchers".

"Voting for Congress = Losing your Money + Property + Belongings! Voters be aware, property snatchers are here!" BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill tweeted.

In an interview with ANI, Pitroda defended Congress's poll promise, saying the policy of redistribution of wealth was in the interest of the people and not in the interest of the super-rich only.

The Congress distanced itself from the senior leader's remarks and said they do not reflect the party's position. Congress's Jairam Ramesh said in a social media message that "sensationalising" Pitroda's comments is aimed at "diverting attention" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "malicious and mischievous election campaign".

Pitroda also said that he made the remarks as in individual. He said it was unfortunate that the comments were twisted "to divert attention from what lies PM is spreading about Congress manifesto".

The Prime Minister has panicked after seeing our revolutionary manifesto, Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday at 'Samajik Nyay Sammelan' amid row over PM Modi's remarks that the Grand Old Party has promised in its manifesto to "redistribute wealth" of country's people.

Reacting to senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda's suggestion of a suggesting a "US-like inheritance tax" in India, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said: "...There is a constitution, we don’t have any intention. Why are you putting his ideas in our mouths? Just for votes, he is playing all these games..."

Posters of Robert Vadra, businessman and husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, were seen outside the party office in Gauriganj, Amethi, amid questions over party's candidate from the seat for Lok Sabha elections 2024.

On the remarks of Indian Overseas Congres Chairman Sam Pitroda's remark, Union Home Minister Home Minister Amit Shah said, "After Sam Pitroda's remark, Congress party is completely exposed. First of all, mention of 'survey' in their manifesto, Manmohan Singh's old statement which is Congress' legacy - that minorities have the first right over resources of the country, and now Sam Pitroda's remark citing the US that there should be deliberations on the distribution of wealth..."

ALSO READ | Sam Pitroda's 'US-Like Inheritance Tax' Advise Puts Congress On Backfoot Amid Manifesto Row

"Now when PM Modi raised this issue, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and the entire Congress party are on the backfoot that it was never their motive," Amit Shah said.

Continuing his attack on Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally in Chhattisgarh's Surguja on Wednesday said the party says it will impose "inheritance tax". PM Modi was reacting to senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda's suggestion of a "US-like inheritance tax".

PM Modi also said Congress's "bad governance and negligence is the reason for the country's destruction."

"Today, the BJP is taking strict action against terrorism & Naxalism. Congress is supporting the people who spread violence and calling them Bravehearts. The biggest leader of this Congress sheds tears when terrorists are killed. Due to such actions, Congress has lost the trust of the country...," PM Modi said.

Addressing the Vijay Sankalp Shankhnaad Maharally in Chhattisgarh's Surguja, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "When the Congress manifesto came out, I had said on the same day that the Congress manifesto had the stamp of the Muslim League on it. When the Constitution was being made, it was decided under the leadership of Baba Saheb Ambedkar that there would be no reservation on the basis of religion in India."

PM Modi's statement comes amid a political storm over his assertion that Congress has promised to "redistribute country's wealth" if voted to power, a charge he put forth even stronger on Wednesday after a senior leader of the Grand Old party suggested a 'US-like inheritance tax' for India in support of party's manifesto.

"But for vote bank Congress did not care about the words of these great men, did not care about the sanctity of the Constitution nor did it care about the words of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Years ago, Congress had tried to give reservation on the basis of religion in Andhra Pradesh. Then Congress planned to implement it all over the country...Congress said that reservation should be given to some people based on religion by stealing some part of the SC/ST and OBC quota," PM Modi said on Wedneday

Addressing an election rally in Kerala on Wednesday, Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah said "All the surveys are showing that the entire Kerala is ready to move ahead with PM Modi."

"Kerala's farmers and fishermen are also ready to move ahead with PM Modi," Amit Shah said.

BJP workers staged a protest on Wednesday against the Congress party's manifesto at Delhi's Akbar Road. Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva also present at the protest.

Continuing his attack on Congress over its poll promises and manifesto, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally in Chhattisgarh's Surguja on Wednesday said the party says it will impose an "inheritance tax" if voted to power. PM Modi was reacting to senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda's suggestion of a "US-like inheritance tax", which came at the right time for the Prime Minister who was receiving backlash for his claim that the Congress has promised to "redistribute country's wealth" in its manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2024. Read Full Report Here

Addressing a rally in Kerala on Wednesday, Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah said "Communists say India will not be an atomic power if they win." Shah took

Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP Lok Sabha candidate from Baramati, has got a clean chit from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in the Rs 25,000 crore Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam case, Mumbai Police said on Wednesday.

Levelling allegations on the Election Commission, the UP Congress posted a video on X with the caption: "This video is a tight slap on the face of the sleeping @ECISVEEP who keeps pretending to conduct fair elections in the country."

"Does BJ Party's dream of crossing 400 go through the Election Commission? Who are chanting with so much confidence that they will cross 400," the post read.

Outlook India could not independently verify the video.

None of the Above (NOTA) in EVMs is an option for voters who do not wish to cast vote for any candidate. On the Ballot Units (BU), below the name of the last candidate, there is a button for NOTA option which allows voters who do not want to vote for any of the candidates to exercise the option.

Similarly, Postal Ballot Papers also have a NOTA Panel after the name of the last candidate. The symbol for NOTA as given below will be printed against the NOTA Panel.

Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday was seen partially backtracking from his "wealth survey" remark as the Congress fought the row triggered by Sam Pitroda's statement on party promises and Pitroda's suggestion of a 'US-like inheritance tax in India'.

At a party event in New Delhi, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said, "I have not said we will take action yet... I am just saying let's find out how much injustice has been done." Gandhi was referring to plans by his party and the INDIA opposition bloc to conduct a national caste survey should it win the election.

Amid political storm on over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged "hate speech" at a recent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election rally in which he made claims of Congress planning to "redistribute wealth of the people", a video of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from an April 6 party meeting has gone viral, where he is heard saying mentioning something similar.

On April 6, a day after the Congress released its manifesto, Rahul Gandhi at a rally in Hyderabad had said if voted to power, the party will conduct a financial and institutional survey to ascertain the distribution of wealth among the people in the country. READ MORE

A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored probe by an special investigation team (SIT) into the alleged instances of "apparent quid pro quo" between political parties, corporates and officials of investigating agencies in donations via electoral bonds.

A five-judge constitution bench of the apex court had on February 15 scrapped the Centre's electoral bonds scheme of anonymous political funding.

Following a Supreme Court directive, the State Bank of India, which was the authorised seller of electoral bonds, had shared the data with the Election Commission, which later made the data public.

The electoral bonds scheme, which was notified by the government on January 2, 2018, was pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of its efforts to bring transparency in political funding.

(Via PTI)

Amid mounting opposition pressure, the Election Commission is learnt to have started examining complaints against a speech made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rajasthan in which he suggested that if the Congress came to power, it would redistribute the wealth of people to Muslims.

The Congress and the CPI-M had separately urged the poll panel against Modi's speech on Sunday.

PM Modi on Sunday suggested that if the Congress came to power, it would redistribute the wealth of people to Muslims and cited former PM Manmohan Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources.

Sources cited in a PTI report said the Election Commission has started examining complaints against the speech made by the prime minister.

Seems like political parties are using the power of social media to the fullest in the election season by joining viral trends, one such is the recent internet rage of prompting users to “look between” certain letters on their keyboard.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, in a message to the public, wrote on microblogging platform X, "Want to know who is going to vote for Viksit Bharat?"

"Read the letter between U and O on your keyboard!," the X post further read. The answer BJP is looking for her is "I".

The purpose of this viral trend is to have a person read aloud the phonetics of the key or keys in between as they usually have a connotation with the post.

In this case, the answer to BJP's question becomes "I".

Aam Aadmi PArty also joined the trend and took a swipe at BJP. "Who will save the Constitution of India from dictator Narendra Modi? Read the letter between Q and R on your keyboard!" AAP said in a post.

The letters between Q and R on a keyboard are W and E.

The high-stakes battle for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is underway across India. But in the eastern-most tip of the northeastern state of Nagaland, there is no election fervour. In fact, on April 19, when voting took place in the first phase in 102 seats—including the lone Lok Sabha constituency in Nagaland—six districts in the eastern part of the state allegedly resisted voting following a call for a poll boycott by the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO).  

The civil society organisation that represents the instincts of the tribes historically inhabiting eastern Nagaland has issued a call to “abstain” from voting in any Legislative Assembly or Lok Sabha elections until the Union government agrees to the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory, a separate autonomous state or region within Nagaland. READ FULL REPORT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday during a public address in Madhya Pradesh's Satna said, “I guarantee that you (poor) don't have to worry about ration for the next five years. To help women get relief from their problems, we are involved in taking facilities like gas, electricity, water and toilet to every household. Modi has resolved to make 3 crore women of self-help groups 'lakhpati didi'."

He added, “Today, a reality of Congress has come to light which has shocked every citizen. Our Constitution clearly states no one will be given reservation on the basis of religion. Babsaheb Ambedkar himself was against reservation on the basis of religion. But Congress, years ago, took the resolve to give reservation on the basis of religion. They keep resorting to new tactics every year to fulfill this resolve."

Union Minister and BJP leader Anurag Thakur on Wednesday said, “Congress has reached the height of appeasement politics. Their politics of appeasement shows that now neither your property is safe, nor your children are safe, nor your borders are safe, nor is 'Sanatan' safe, if they come to power. Their stand shows that even after your death, they will take away your property in the name of 'inheritance tax'. This is an injustice that they are promising. If people want to save themselves and the country, they need Modi government at the Centre."

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Kannauj seat, the party leader Ram Gopal Yadav said on Wednesday.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday fainted during a speech in Maharashtra's Yavatmal. Reports said senior BJP leader Gadkari is being treated at the hospital.

In her reaction on the ongoing row over Congress' manifesto, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said, “INDIA alliance manifesto speaks about giving 30 lakh jobs, women getting reservation, farmers getting MSP. Congress gave a pro-people manifesto. It is the best manifesto by Congress in 70 years. BJP leaders have panicked and that's why they are giving Hindu-Muslim statements."

Bollywood actor and BJP candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha seat Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday held a roadshow in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer.

Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain on Wednesday said, "By now the country has assessed the first phase of (Lok Sabha) elections on the basis of the statement given by PM Modi. The kind of statements he has unleashed on the people of the country, it's very clear that they (BJP-led NDA) are now jittery. They have got the information that they are losing in the first phase very badly."

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said he is “healthy” after he fainted during a rally in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal. Taking to micro-blogging site—X, he said, “I felt uncomfortable due to the heat during the rally in Pusad, Maharashtra. But now I am completely healthy and am leaving for Varud to attend the next meeting.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said, “What are the intentions of Congress? If they come to power, even your fields, houses and shops will not be safe."

BJP leader Hema Malini on Wednesday after holding roadshow in Mathura said, "It feels like I have won already, and the celebration was like that only. The roadshow was very beautifully organised by the party. Everybody, including our alliance partners, participated in it."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Betul said, "I am here to seek your blessings. Public is like God, and when they bless, it is like the blessing of the God. These days you can bless us only by voting for the lotus (BJP's symbol)."

The campaigning for first phase of Lok Sabha polls in 14 seats of Karnataka ended on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul on Wednesday said, “Congress never acknowledged sacrifices of tribals”.

He added, “BJP made Bhagwan Birsa Munda''s birth anniversary Janjatiya Gaurav Divas”.

"Betul is a land of those who have sacrificed their lives for the unification of the country. We cannot forget the contributions of Sardarn Ganjan Singh and Sardar Vishnu Singh Gond. However, Congress never accepted the sacrifices made by the Adivasi community. It was the BJP which announced that the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda would be celebrated as 'Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas'," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday during a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Betul said, "Congress wants to snatch reservation from OBCs, scheduled castes and tribes for giving it to its most loved community"

He added, "BR Ambedkar was the biggest protester of Congress after the Independence. He could see how Congress was taking the country towards decline. He also protested against reservation based on religion. Those who framed the Constitution had decided that reservation cannot be given on the basis of religion. However, Congress always tried to eradicate BR Ambedkar's Constitution and snatch away the reservation of SCs, STs and OBCs."

The campaigning for April 26 Lok Sabha polls ended in Kerala on Wednesday.

Taking a jibe at INDIA-bloc, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday during a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Harda said, "World will ridicule 'one year, one PM' scheme; do you want a new PM every year'.

Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said, "The atmosphere is favourable (for Congress), and we will win with a thumping majority both in the state and the country."

BJP leader and party's candidate from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat K Surendran on Wednesday said, "Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are doing negative politics. They do anti-India campaigns in foreign countries. They say that the electoral system is tampering with the voting machines."

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitendra Patwari on Wednesday said,"The PM has failed to reveal why there is price hike, unemployment in the nation, and why the farmers are in debt and are dying by suicide. He has also failed to reveal (names of) those who were responsible for the deaths of people during COVID-19 crisis."

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav targeted BJP chief JP Nadda on Wednesday saying, "I have received information that he (JP Nadda) has brought many bags from Delhi. Agencies are also supporting him."

Union Minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan held a roadshow in Odisha's Sambalpur on Wednesday.

Union Minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday held roadshow in Odisha's Sambalpur.

In reaction to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's 'Congress manifesto indicates backdoor attempts to implement religion-based quota' remark, Congress leader Alok Sharma on Wednesday said, "The way BJP has lost in the first phase of (Lok Sabha) polls, they have resorted to religious and social polarisation. You are the Defence Minister, you should reveal what Sonam Wangchuck is saying and why elections have not been conducted in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 10 years."

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday enjoyed on an election song with locals during campaigning in Madhya Pradesh's Chanderi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held roadshow in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal. He was accompanied by the state's Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah on Wednesday said, "PM Modi has given the target to cross the 400-seat mark, and it is the duty of every BJP worker to make this target achievable. For this, the BJP workers in Kashi need to do four things. First, we need to increase 300 votes in every booth. Second, we need to contact every 'labharthi' (beneficiaries of government schemes). Third, we need to make people aware about the development done by PM Modi. Fourth, every voter need to be connected with PM Modi's 'sankalp' of making India developed by 2047."

Samajwadi Party workers on Wednesday celebrate after the party's announcement that Akhilesh Yadav will contest from Kannauj.

Tamil Nadu BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy on Wednesday said, "Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has to explain why she is having an alliance with DMK which has passed a resolution in the Assembly on the release of Rajiv Gandhi's killers, if her mother has sacrificed her 'mangalsutra' for the country?"

BJP leader Alpesh Thakur on Wednesday said, "Congress cannot take care of its candidates and supporters, and they blame us for that. This is politics, and everything is fair in love and war. They should take care of their workers and candidates. Congress is a disorganised party, and they don't have an ideology left."

AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Wednesday said, "The INDIA bloc will win all seven seats in Delhi, and people will defeat the BJP to save the Constitution, and help Arvind Kejriwal come out of jail."

AAP leader Sanjay Singh while addressing a public meeting in Delhi on Wednesday said, "They (BJP) are saying that they will cross 400 (seats in Lok Sabha polls). Don't get misled by this slogan. In (West) Bengal, they said that they will cross 200 (seats), but got only 77 seats. Don't get misled, vote on the basis of issues."

Former Uttarakhand CM and Congress leader Harish Rawat on Wednesday said, "After the first phase of (Lok Sabha) elections, BJP is worried and making such statements (referring to PM Modi's 'mangalsutra' remarks). Does anyone other than Congress know the value of 'mangalsutra' better? Our senior leader sacrificed her mangalsutra for the country."

In his reaction to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's remarks, Congress leader Prasad Harichandan on Wednesday said, "If you analyse the first phase of (Lok Sabha) polling, then this is their (BJP's) reaction. They are making a mountain of a small hill. These are not issues. They have resorted to divisive and communal politics."